Brian Bilbray

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. I appreciate your concern. But again, I come back to the fact that you do not place the same condition on the other technologies. And if you want to do this, then let's talk about it through the entire technologies, that we are not going to apply that. And the fact is, history has proven, and even though you may not like to admit it, the things like the fence in San Diego that some people thought wouldn't work and the so-called experts said wouldn't work have worked extraordinarily well because we gave it a chance to work before we started cutting it off. And that is exactly what we are seeing here. This is a technology that has proven itself around the world, but you don't want to give it a chance to prove itself along our national frontier.

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Chairman, after the tragedy of 9/11, the 9/11 Commission came forth with some very distinct recommendations. And one of their most distinct recommendations was that we need to have a secure minimum standard for identification within the United States. The REAL ID bill was our answer to that and it was a bipartisan effort to make sure that we correct a deficiency that was identified by the 9/ 11 Commission. My amendment is very clear. It strikes $150 million out of the integrated Deepwater system program which has been identified with major problems, moves it over to a program that we all admit is underfunded and needs to be addressed and aids in the implementation of this most essential program. All it says is that we now are going to commit $150 million to the program which will raise it up to $200 million to help our States fulfill their responsibility to provide viable, verifiable identification for every American and every legal resident within the United States. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Chairman, there have already been three States that have opted out of REAL ID because they say they don't have the money to implement it. The terrorists of 9/11 did not slip through the Coast Guard along our coastline. I represent a coastal district. The fact is we need to make some priority decisions here. What is the real threat to the American people? The threat is the use of false identification to get on airplanes, to get access into government buildings, to do other types of wrongful deeds against the American people is because we do not have a secure ID today. The 9/11 report did not say a critical national defense purpose to defend our Nation from terrorism is that we need Deepwater. But they did say we absolutely need to have secure documentation within this country. So we have to make a priority decision. And as somebody of a naval family, somebody of a coastal community, I understand the Coast Guard is important, but this is a priority decision. REAL ID not only should and needs to be implemented now, it should have been implemented years ago. But the lack of funding should not be an excuse for us to do the right thing that is essential. If you're not going to follow the 9/11 report, then why the heck even have the committee report? If you're going to follow the bureaucracy that says let's keep defending America the way we did for the last hundred years and not upgrade to the realities of today? The 9/11 report has said, one of the first priorities must be securing our documentation. With this amendment, we will be saying we will not only be economically viable, we will be intellectually smart in the way we defend our country. This amendment is quite simple. It says, you have problems with the Deepwater project right now, let's talk about it and work those problems out, but we know right now we do not have the time to delay at implementing a secure identification system for this country. Let's work with our States, let's give them the grants so they don't have an excuse not to do the right thing, to make sure that when our citizens get on an airplane, we know that everyone who got on that airplane got on with a secure document and that they can be reassured that it's safe to fly in America and that America is safe because the Congress did the right thing and gave the resources for secure identification so we can have a secure Nation. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BILBRAY. The Governor of California supports this legislation. The fact is, the Fraternal Order of Police, because they say we have a standard now, it is REAL ID, but allow us to implement it. It is a time-sensitive issue. I understand Deepwater needs to be addressed. But you have to admit, there are major problems with Deepwater. But right now, there is a major crisis in getting the resources to the local States to implement the REAL ID bill. You may not agree with the REAL ID bill, but our own Governor and the Fraternal Order of Police understand. This is one of those little things that don't seem important, but law enforcement and the Governor say please, this is one of the things that local government can do to fulfill.

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. Madam Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the many outstanding achievements of Mr. Michael Metts, the outgoing president of the Carlsbad Hi- Noon Rotary Club. Michael's leadership during 2006 and 2007 has contributed significantly to the Hi-Noon Rotary Club and the community of Carlsbad. During his tenure, membership exceeded one hundred people and the Hi-Noon Rotary Club awarded $28,000 for high school scholarships. In addition, under his leadership the Carlsbad Hi-Noon and Carlsbad Evening Rotary clubs partnered to sponsor the annual Oktoberfest fundraiser, a community event which provided over $26,000 to the Carlsbad Women's Resource Center, The Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad and Community Youth Services. During his presidency, a number of other projects were completed. These projects included providing volunteers to help maintain public and private property, provide food and clothing for the needy and the homeless and assist in the distribution of food, clothing and toys to needy Carlsbad families in conjunction with the Carlsbad Christmas Bureau. A Children's Christmas party and dinner for very needy elementary school students was also provided. In an effort to improve literacy, badly needed bilingual dictionaries were provided and distributed in English and Spanish speaking elementary schools. In addition a book a week was contributed to a school library and mentors were also provided for the ``City Stuff'' program. This program promoted an understanding of the working of city government for young Carlsbad school children. Michael's leadership also contributed to the hosting of exchange students from 11 foreign countries, the sponsorship of a Model UN Project, the building of a house for a needy family and dental care and financial aid for impoverished children in Mexico. Support was also provided to our deployed service personnel overseas. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the many fine achievements of Michael Metts. Without question, his leadership and the fine work of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club are worthy of recognition by the House today.

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to, first of all, thank the chairman from Oregon and the ranking member for supporting my bill, H. Res. 446, in recognition of the life of Wally Schirra. I would just have to say that when we go through the record of the life of Wally, he was a San Diegan for a long time; and we celebrated Wally as a neighbor and as a friend and as a national and international hero. The fact is that he did serve extensively, like many San Diegans, in the military, with three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, more than a MIG or two on the side. He obviously went into the space race with a lot of accomplishments. Being the only individual to fly in all three of the first stages of manned space flight for America was unique, but I think, as was pointed out before, Wally is a man that filled in so often when others might have hesitated. After the terrible disaster of losing astronauts in a major fire, he did not hesitate to look forward to being the first to step back into those capsules and move on and move up with our space race. That kind of bravery we didn't really take into consideration at the time. What a huge challenge it must have been to explain to your wife, ``Honey, I am going to get in this capsule. Somebody has to do it, and I will be the one.'' We don't think about that family, that personal aspect of being a hero and moving forward with those kinds of accomplishments. I also would like to say that we forget that, without the docking procedure that Wally was able to master, there was not going to be any trip to the moon. It was an essential component, as important as any missile, any rocket, any control system. The ability for man to dock with another spaceship was an essential part, and Wally was a major part of that. But I want to thank all my colleagues for supporting this bill. Wally was our neighbor, he was our friend, and he really did live a life that San Diegans are proud of in public service. He spent his later years working with the local museums for flight history, and he also spent a lot of time on his sailboat in San Diego. But I want to thank all of you, because Wally was not just a hero to the world and to America; he was a neighbor and a friend to those of us in San Diego.

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, from the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, our wounded warriors have returned from combat with varying degrees of injury. Some of these physical injuries, such as bullet wounds or losing a limb have been diagnosed and treated since the dawn of our Republic. Others, such as Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, have required the practices of treating veterans to evolve and adapt so that we can give our returning service members the quality of care and the quality of life they deserve. The bill before us today is an example of how our system must adapt to these increasingly devastating injuries, specifically TBI. H.R. 2199 would require that Veterans Affairs, VA, screen every combat veteran for TBI and submit a report to Congress on the number of returning soldiers that have this debilitating injury, and how we can improve upon the care they receive. Additionally, the VA would be required to establish transition sites so that those service members who are diagnosed have the ability to choose various recovery programs that are most comfortable to them. What makes TBI such a frightening injury is that the symptoms are not instantaneous. A service member might not know if he or she has TBI until weeks after the initial jolt or blow to the head. If treatment is not readily available, then permanent brain damage and loss of motor skills and cognitive thought may be the end result. For this reason, I am pleased that the House Veterans' Affairs Committee has taken up this legislation and continues to seek ways to better the care that our returning men and women will receive. H.R. 2199 is similar to legislation that was passed during the 108th Congress which increased research and outreach activities to service members with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD. I am proud to serve on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and I look forward to supporting further legislation that addresses the complex needs of our Nation's veterans. As Memorial Day approaches, I urge my colleagues to reflect on the sacrifices our veterans have made to preserve freedom and how much work we need to do to properly honor that sacrifice. I believe that passing H.R. 2199 is a good first step in showing that we in Congress recognize the evolving needs of our brave veterans.

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the chance to speak before the House today, and it's about an issue that many Americans all over this Nation are discussing, are listening about, and, frankly, are very concerned, if not outraged, and that is the proposal before the Senate this week that would actually not only allow, but demand amnesty for 12- to 20 million illegal immigrants in this country while millions wait patiently outside to immigrate into our country legally. Tonight I am honored to be able to have colleagues here to be able to address the issues and actually talk about what's going on in their districts and address the issue that where does America go from here? How do we stop the Senate from making this terrible mistake? How do we turn the President and the Senate away from the path of amnesty that was followed in 1986, which caused the greatest influx of illegal immigration? How do we get the elite here in Washington to wake up to the fact that you do not stop illegal immigration by announcing to the world that you are now going to reward up to 20 million people who are illegally in the country? I have the privilege to recognize the gentleman from Texas at this time.

Mr. BILBRAY. One of the things, I think, people misunderstand when they talk about the amnesty, that people that are here illegally working in the United States are not just violating immigration law. A lot of people don't realize that about 73 to 75 percent of everyone who is here illegally is working illegally because they acquired false documents, stole somebody's ID or identification to work, which is a felony. The Kennedy proposal in the Senate not only gives amnesty, an exemption from prosecution, for being illegally in the country, but exempts them and gives amnesty for the felony they committed when they used somebody else's identification or used false documentation to acquire a job. So we have got to remember that we are not only giving amnesty for immigration, we are now proposing that we will pick a certain population to be exempt from a felony violation and not only forgiven for that violation, but to be given a special program, the Z visa, that only those who have broken the law qualify for. Those individuals who have been waiting patiently to immigrate into this country illegally are not allowed, under this proposal, to have the Z option, to go for the Z visa. That is a concept of rewarding illegal behavior, a little felony illegal behavior, when you are telling those who have not broken our laws that you are not going to offer them the same thing.

Mr. BILBRAY. Reclaiming my time. I am chairman of the Immigration Caucus, and I am proud that my mother is an immigrant, a legal immigrant. She came here, played by the rules; and, as she reminds me again and again, it is an insult to her and everyone else who played by the rules to gain legal status in this country to watch anybody, let alone the Senate of the United States, announce to the world that they are going to give up to 20 million people the cherished ability to live permanently in the United States and to give them a vehicle towards citizenship. At this time, I have the honor to yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina.

Mr. BILBRAY. If I may reclaim my time. I think the one thing we don't talk about enough in this country is that there is this perception that we don't allow very much legal immigration inside. The United States today, Mr. Speaker, accepts more legal immigration than all the rest of the world combined. We are accepting more legal immigration today than at any other time in the history of our Republic. This country is one of the most gracious and welcoming countries, the most welcoming country in the history of the world. And so we have nothing to apologize for when it comes to accommodating, except for the fact that we made a terrible mistake in 1986. When you were talking about the definition of amnesty, it actually comes from the Latin word for amnesia. And maybe what the Senate is forgetting in having this amnesia is what happened the last time they proposed this type of amnesty. Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Let's just look at what happened when Mr. Kennedy, who promised in 1986 this would be the last amnesty that America would ever have, clearly stated, ``It will never happen again.'' Twenty years ago, we tried this experiment of rewarding illegal immigration. We were promised that it was only going to be 1 million illegals that were given amnesty. It turned out it was 3 million. Now, 20 years later, rather than having 3 illegals in our country we have 12 to 20. Mr. Kennedy, did your amnesty really eliminate illegal immigration? I will tell you as somebody who was down at the border, I was actually the chairman of San Diego County on the border, a county of 3 million. The greatest influx of illegal immigration that we have seen in this country happened immediately after the last amnesty. And anyone who says that we are going to stop illegal immigration by announcing to the world that 20 million illegals got rewarded is either ignorant of the facts or willing to fabricate verifications that are absolutely outrageous. And you cannot stop illegal immigration when you announce that you are going to reward it, and the proof is in history. Last time, Mr. Kennedy, you did this, we had the largest illegal immigration population. And, frankly, I think there are people who are proposing this amnesty who know what it will do but will not come clean with the American people. And I think the one thing we saw this week, and I think all of us will agree, is that the elite in Washington think that the American people don't understand this issue. Well, the American people understood it. Within 45 minutes after Mr. Kennedy and the Senators were doing their press conference, the American people started making phone calls, they started e-mailing, they started faxing. They sent a signal to the Senators and they sent a signal to us that, Washington, we are watching and we are not going to fall for it this time. We are going to stand up and defend our grandchildren's birthright, and we are going to start demanding that you start doing the right thing. And I think the guilt goes both ways. The public is fed up with the Republicans and Democrats, because they have not seen an administration enforce the law. We have to gain credibility that we really can be trusted with the security of this country by being willing to do the right thing and enforce the immigration laws here. And not until we do that, no matter who is President, no matter what party is in power, will the American public trust us to move on with a lot of other agendas.

Mr. BILBRAY. I appreciate that. And actually, I guess we've got to remember that 11 months ago, I was standing exactly where you are and gave my acceptance speech for being sworn into Congress. And there were 18 candidates for the 50th District in California. And the people of San Diego wanted to send a clear message to Washington that this illegal immigration issue is something that people need to address. And I think today you're hearing not just one district scream loud and clear that they want the illegal immigration issue addressed, but you're seeing people calling from all the districts, calling their Representatives and demanding that we finally do the right thing and not sell out on this issue. I'd like yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. BILBRAY. Reclaiming my time. I mean, the American people are such a patient, humanitarian people that maybe sometimes we forget there's a fine line between being the nice guy and being a patsy. My mother immigrated from Australia. She got her citizenship, and she's very proud that she was one of the first Australian war brides to get her citizenship, April 1946. And when she sees that there are not only illegals in the country saying they want to be legalized, they want amnesty, what shocks her is that the United States allows people to be here illegally and demand, demand that America change its laws to accommodate them because they do not want to play by the rules. What other Nation on Earth would allow people to be illegally in their country and then demand that their duly elected representative government modify its statutes to accommodate them because they do not want to be bothered by following the laws of their host country? What kind of relationship do we expect to come from a situation to where we accommodate people who come to this country illegally, while we tell those patiently that want to come here legally, sorry, you get put on the back of the list? And, you know, I'm very impressed. Learning a new language is always a big challenge, and your wife did that. My wife didn't immigrate from a foreign country. She came from New Orleans, and we're still trying to understand some of the things she says. My mother immigrated from Australia, and the Australians are going to have to learn English someday themselves. But I think the real sad fact is that there are actually people that think that there's some good that can come out of this not only for America, but for the immigrants and immigrants around the world if we think breaking the law is now going to be a standard. If you want to live in a country where their law is bought and sold and shifted around by politicians just for political expediency, there's a lot of countries you can go to. Those countries tend to be poor, downtrodden, and poverty-stricken, and, by the way, happen to be the places that a lot of these illegal immigrants are coming from. But why transfer that corruption from those Third World countries into this country and destroy the mother's milk of freedom, the concept of the rule of law, while at the same time you're saying that the economic backbone of freedom, the middle class, is expendable at the same time? In fact, there are people that try to accommodate illegal immigration to such a point that this bill that the Senate is proposing will say that an illegal alien qualifies for in-State tuition, even though a United States citizen doesn't qualify. And this really hits me personally, because in the State of California, where I have been a resident since the day I was born, I have paid taxes my entire adult life, I was told that my children, to get in-State tuition, I had to show a personal tax return. But somebody that they suspect is an illegal alien doesn't have to show their personal records; they just have to show utility bills. And when I said, I'll show you my utility bills, I'll show you all the way back to the '70s; oh, excuse me, sir, you don't qualify because we don't think you're illegal. So if the American people think this is just about illegals and just about, you know, 12- to 20 million, they've got to remember that they are going to be put in a position of having to prove more than somebody who is illegally in this country; that American citizens will become second-class citizens to those who are not even citizens and not even legal. This is how absurd this line goes if you follow Mr. Kennedy off the edge. And remember, this is the same man, in 1986, that said no more amnesties anymore. I guarantee it. That is a sad state of affairs that the American people are facing, that same big lie, 20 years later. And it's time we say no. And I'm so proud, I am so proud to be an American, knowing that the American people called those Senators, e-mailed them, faxed them and wrote them to where the Senate, rather than trying to cram this through this week, were forced to back off and give some time. And now this next week the American people will have more time to read the fine print, read about things like in-State tuition and loans to illegal aliens, and read about what is really in this bill and how bad it really is. And I'd like to yield back to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. BILBRAY. Not even mentioned.

Mr. BILBRAY. Congressman, you hit on the real point. In a Republic where the governed get to choose the government, trust is an essential component. And there isn't any trust in the American people when it comes to the Federal Government enforcing our immigration laws. There isn't any credibility in the Federal Government when it comes to stopping illegal immigration. The American people believe, and rightfully so, that special interests manipulate the Federal Government to stop illegal immigration from being controlled in the past, and that unless they really scream loud and start holding elected officials accountable at the polling box, that they are going to continue to have that type of corruption delivered to them when it comes to the immigration issue. I want to just say clearly, a lot of people say why am I feeling so strong on this concept of amnesty? Why can't we just do it one more time? Let me tell you something. I have talked to people south of the border and in Third World countries all over the world. And if people would take the time to listen. To give an example, a congressman in Zacatecas, Mexico, a Mexican congressman, says to me, Look, Brian, you know you have got to educate these people because we all down here know you are going to give amnesty again. They are all going to be U.S. citizens. Why do you think they are coming up illegally? They know you are going to reward them. You go down to places like Central America. They say, Look, we are told come on up now. America is going to give us amnesty. We are going to become citizens. The way to America is come illegal. That message is being heard around the world. We need to send a clear and defined message that says no more amnesty, no more rewards for illegal behavior. You want to be an American? You follow the law and play by the rules. If you are not willing to do it, we will never give amnesty again. And, believe me, if we send that clear message, if we stop this amnesty, people around world will finally understand, no, it is no longer the option to come here illegally. You have got to play by the rules. And then and only then will we see the ability to control not just our border; but our neighborhoods, our jobs, our parks, our hospitals, our schools, are finally going to be ours, and those that we choose to be our neighbors, not somebody who snuck in and stole away in the middle of the night. I am so honored to stand here today with you, sir. I appreciate the hard work that you have given the people of Texas and your district, and I look forward to working with you to make sure that we present a workable, enforceable immigration policy that will stop illegal immigration and not allow this proposal in the Senate to move in and allow another illegal immigration wave being caused by another ill- fated amnesty scheme. Thank you very much.

Mr. BILBRAY. I would like to close, Mr. Speaker, by announcing that the American people have really spoken this week, stopped the Senate from forcing something through the Senate. And not only that, they have sent the message to their Members of the House of Representatives. And I would like to announce today that this week, because of all the reaction and the backlash against the Senate amnesty scheme, five new Members have joined the Immigration Reform Caucus in the House of Representatives. And I am very happy to welcome new Members in that are committed and working hard to be able to finally do the right thing on illegal immigration and start enforcing our laws the way the American people want to do; securing our borders and securing our neighborhoods and securing our future for our grandchildren.

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a life of accomplishment of astronaut Walter ``Wally'' Schirra and express the condolences of a grateful Nation to his entire family. Wally passed away last Thursday at the age of 84, leaving behind a wife, Josephine, and daughter, Suzanne, and Walter Schirra III. In a world where we place a premium on innovation and discovery, Wally was a pioneer in both. Mr. Speaker, the history of man is measured on a timeline of exploration, and for Walter Schirra, it was his life. Pushing the limits of discovery, determined to work harder and go farther than anyone before him, Wally had the distinction of being the fifth American in space and the third American in orbit on an adventure that includes six circlings of the globe that lasted more than 9 hours. He led a lifetime built on breaking barriers, laying the groundwork for future lunar landings. On December 15, 1965, he piloted the Gemini 6 in what was to be the first attempted rendezvous by two-manned spacecraft in space. Three years later, in October of 1968, he concluded his third and final mission when he was launched as commander of Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission. This flight made Commander Schirra the only Mercury astronaut to fly aboard Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecrafts. His lifetime of achievement also included a decorated record of service in the United States military. In Korea, he flew 90 combat missions and was credited with downing at least one MIG fighter. His courage and valor was eventually recognized with three distinguished flying crosses, two air medals and two NASA Distinguished Service Medals and induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. While he was remembered most for his contributions in the United States space program, Wally also made tremendous strides in advancing the efforts of the Reuben H. Fleet Aerospace Museum in San Diego. While he was no longer to venture out into outer space, Wally took off on his 35-foot sailboat. I guess he figured if the skies were no longer available to him, he would instead canvass the oceans. Astronaut ``Wally'' Schirra will always have a place in our Nation's history, an inspiring figure of humble beginnings with daring dreams, a pioneer of our space program who helped the United States win the race against the Soviet Union in the space race. While we mourn the loss of this remarkable man, we should celebrate his great life of achievements. We can rest assured that his legacy will be long felt by many generations yet to come.

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, as we enter the fourth year of the conflict in Iraq, we have before us today a supplemental appropriations bill that should serve one purpose and one purpose only--to provide funding for the safety, security and well-being of our troops. Time and time again, both Democrats and Republicans have pledged to provide our brave Armed Forces with the resources they need to do the job they have been sent to do. Today represents a moment in time when that rhetoric can be supported with bold and definitive action. That is why it is all the more disappointing that at a time when we should be voting on legislation to provide the necessary supplies, armor, and technology needed to be successful, the Democrats have decided to politicize this process. Led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the majority party has taken this opportunity to add non-military provisions such as $74 million for peanut storage costs, $5 million for tropical fish and billions of dollars worth of special-interest pork projects. I have to ask, why would this extraneous non-emergency material be included in a war spending bill when it has nothing to do with war spending? At what point are we going to stop playing politics with the safety and well being of our troops? I don't think there is anyone in this Chamber who doesn't believe we need to do all we can to support our brave men and women in uniform. However, I find it sad that the bill before us today is being used to satisfy the whims of lawmakers with an appetite for special interest pork projects. Such an effort amounts to nothing more than institutionalizing bribery. In addition to the more than $21 billion in pork spending, H.R. 1591 plays politics in a completely different way by setting a timetable for the redeployment of our troops from Iraq. I believe that the President made a good decision by appointing General Petraeus to command all U.S. Forces in Iraq. The fact that every Democrat in the United States Senate voted to confirm the general reinforces the belief that his new plan and vision for the war on terror is the right one. Implementing a ``slow-bleed'' strategy will deny the general the opportunity to implement his plan and change the tide in Iraq. Overseeing the greatest military on Earth while trying to initiate great tactical change is a monumental task, but I feel we owe it to General Petraeus to give him the necessary tools to defeat the terrorists and bring our troops home. In no way can General Petraeus, or any of our military leaders for that matter, be successful in Iraq if a timeline for redeployment becomes law. The same restrictions should not be placed on our President. My colleagues and I were elected under Article I of the United States Constitution, an article that does not give us the authority to be Commander in Chief. Article II clearly cedes that authority to the President of the United States, whoever he or she is, and from whatever party he or she belongs to. Now, it's no secret that almost every member of the Senate harbors ambitions to one day be President, but until now, I didn't realize that everyone in the House felt the same way. This ``slow-bleed'' scheme represents an unconstitutional infringement upon the authority of the President as Commander in Chief. The point is that politicians in Washington should stop trying to micromanage this war and allow the President and his generals to have the troops, equipment, and supplies to complete the goals that have been set. Our troops are not a bargaining chip to be used by congressional Democrats to leverage more excessive and unnecessary pork spending. Rather than support a bill that provides $25 million for spinach replenishment, I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 1591, so that we can get back to work and pass a clean bill free of any extraneous spending and disastrous military timelines.

Mr. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. If the gentleman would yield on that, I think the American people don't realize that we take more legal immigration than all the world combined. We are taking now more than we ever have. But first, I want to stop a second and thank the gentleman from Georgia for hosting.

Mr. BILBRAY. I would thank the gentleman from Georgia for hosting our report on immigration to the American people tonight from the Congressional Caucus. People have to understand how really, really we have bent over backwards to accommodate people to immigrate to this country. We have about 800,000 people become citizens. We have a million that are allowed to be permanent resident aliens every year, and then we have another million-plus that are allowed to come here to work in the United States. That is almost 3 million people a year that we are accommodating from overseas in one way or the other. And when people say we are a Nation of immigrants, we are a Nation of legal immigrants; but there is a reasonable level of immigration. When the American people realize that we just absolutely have our doors open, there is no excuse for illegal immigration, and we have to make sure that our legal immigration policies are reasonable. I don't think it is much to ask, those of us who are sworn to represent the people of the United States, to make sure that the American immigration policy is for America first and for the immigrant second. We not only have a right, we have a responsibility to make sure that our immigration policy serves the American people. Like every other policy that the Federal Government is initiating, the American people should come first before anyone else. This issue of the cost of just the legal immigration, let me give you one cost that most people don't think about. The cost just in one State of giving birth to the children of illegal aliens in California is $400 million a year. That is $400 million just for giving free birth to the children of illegal aliens. In San Diego County, it is $22 million a year just for birthing babies of people that aren't supposed to be in the country. You add that up, the impact on the taxpayers, there is no way in the world I can believe that any man or woman can stand up in this Chamber and say I am for a balanced budget, I am for fiscal responsibility, but I am for giving amnesty that has been estimated to be $50 billion if Mr. Kennedy and some people in the House get their way of rewarding people for being here illegally. I think there is a basic issue that we ought to call down and say, since when does this country believe that those who follow the law should be punished and told to stay at home, but those who break the law get rewarded and get into this country? And since when is it not the right thing to do to make sure that our immigration policy serves the people we are sworn to represent in this Chamber and in the Senate? It is a major issue that the American people need to be asking those that they have sent to Washington. I, as the new chairman of the Immigration Caucus, look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans because I think in all fairness, immigration is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it is an American issue. And Americans across this country on both sides of the political divide believe it is time we address this issue reasonably and not make the terrible mistake we made in 1986 of rewarding people with amnesty and not doing something about enforcement. I appreciate the chance to be able to address the issue. That chart scares me to death. And I just say this as a practicing Catholic with five children. Your numbers are a lot lower than for those of us that are in my Mass every day. I think we have to recognize this number as a huge threat of really overturning the entire concept we have of reasonable immigration levels, and those reasonable immigration levels are not only our right to set here in Washington, it is our responsibility to do that. I yield back.

Mr. BILBRAY. Actually, it was----

Mr. BILBRAY. I just remember I was involved with running the County of San Diego in 1986, and I remember that before the bill was passed the number estimate was 300,000. It was after the bill was passed that they said, oh, it might be as high as 1 million, and then they kept continuing the deadline and increasing those who qualified to apply, and it ended up being 3 million. So I just think people have got to remember, when the bill was passed, what was being told was 300,000, and what ended up being the final number was 3 million.